Huge ‘Terminator-like’ drones will be taking to FNQ skies after farming advancement

Far North residents could be startled by large ‘terminator-like’ UFOs operating in previously restricted airspace. But it’s not as terrifying as it might seem.

FAR North residents are warned to look out for UFOs in the skies as residents are anticipated to witness the agricultural industry fly to uncharted heights.

Brian Maher, co-owner at NQ Drones, said their company was the first to be granted permission by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to service farms within the commercial airspace near Cairns Airport.

“It took a while, the (Cairns) farming community really helped us,” he said.

NQ Commercial Drone Services co-owners and commercial drone pilots Brian Maher, Gareth Henry and farmer Mark Savina with a large commercial drone designed to spray sugar cane crops to deliver a higher yield. Picture: Brendan Radke

Suspicions and UFO conspiracy theories can be laid to rest - the new flying objects over the region are drones to be used in Freshwater sugarcane farms along the Western Arterial Road.

“These drones are probably close to 50kg and two by two,” Mr Maher said.

“I had someone who looked at it and said oh my god it’s like Terminator.”

While NQ Drones service numerous sectors, Mr Maher said the agricultural industry had now partnered up with advanced drone technology to spray crops, seed, remove weeds, analyse crop health and automate tasks.

“The (agricultural) industry is growing, excuse the pun,” he said.

“You think of anything agriculture that a plane or farmer could do, we can do.”

Farmer, Mark Savina owns Freshwater sugarcane farms and said he couldn’t spray or work on his crop without the help from drones.

“We have to use the best technology that is out there,” he said.

“I think it’s a game-changer.”

NQ Commercial Drone Services co owners and commercial drone pilots Brian Maher and Gareth Henry with a large commercial drone designed to spray sugar cane crops to deliver a higher yield. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Maher promised NQ Drones was piloting the future as it functions across multiple industries that granted them ability to do solar inspections, industrial jobs and more accurate missing person searches.

“If you see flashing red and green lights, don’t panic,” he said.

“ET hasn’t come home, NQ Drones was just out spraying.”

Originally published as Huge ‘Terminator-like’ drones will be taking to FNQ skies after farming advancement